What is "poka-yoke"

n. A methodology of using low-cost techniques to error-proof production processes.

is a Japanese term that means "mistake-proofing" or “inadvertent error prevention”. The key word in the second translation, often omitted, is "inadvertent". There is no Poka Yoke solution that protects against an operator’s sabotage, but sabotage is a rare behavior among people. A poka-yoke is any mechanism in a lean manufacturing process that helps an equipment operator avoid (yokeru) mistakes (poka). Its purpose is to eliminate product defects by preventing, correcting, or drawing attention to human errors as they occur. The concept was formalised, and the term adopted, by Shigeo Shingo as part of the Toyota Production System. It was originally described as baka-yoke, but as this means "fool-proofing" (or " idiot-proofing") the name was changed to the milder poka-yoke.